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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Physiol.
Sec. Exercise Physiology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1501828
This article is part of the Research Topic Responses and Adaptations to Novel Exercise Modalities View all 5 articles

The effect of 12-week combined balance and plyometric training on dynamic balance and lower extremity injury risk in college dancers

Provisionally accepted
Yan Yuqi Yan Yuqi 1PARK SEO YOUNG PARK SEO YOUNG 2*Seomyeong Heo Seomyeong Heo 2Yi Zhao Yi Zhao 2
  • 1 Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
  • 2 College of Art and Physical Education, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Dancers face significant physical demands and are at high risk for lower extremity injuries due to the complexity and intensity of their movements, which require strong dynamic balance. Improving dynamic balance through training can potentially enhance performance and reduce injury risk.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week combined balance and plyometric training program (BP) compared to plyometric training alone (PL) on dynamic balance and lower extremity injury risk among college dancers.Methods: A total of 30 female college dancers were randomly assigned to either the BP group (n = 15) or the PL group (n = 15). Both groups participated in a 12-week training program, with the BP group engaging in both balance and plyometric exercises, and the PL group performing only plyometric exercises. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Dynamic Posture Stability Index (DPSI). Lower extremity injury risk was evaluated using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) and Center of Pressure (COP) measurements, pre-and post-intervention.The BP group showed significant improvements in dynamic balance compared to the PL group, with a reduction in DPSI values (DF-DPSI: p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.625; DL-DPSI: p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.559). Additionally, the BP group showed significant reductions in COP displacements, particularly in the anterior-posterior direction (DF-COPAP: p < 0.015, partial η² = 0.101; DL-COPAP: p = 0.019, partial η² = 0.094). The BP group also demonstrated greater improvements in LSI-3C and LSI-6, which reflect dynamic stability (LSI-3C: p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.229; LSI-6: p = 0.006, partial η² = 0.128).The 12-week combined balance and plyometric training program was more effective than plyometric training alone in improving dynamic balance and reducing lower extremity injury risk in college dancers. This combined training approach is recommended for improving performance and preventing injuries in dancers.

    Keywords: dynamic balance, Plyometric training, Balance training, lower extremity injury risk, College dancers Dynamic balance, College dancers

    Received: 25 Sep 2024; Accepted: 09 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Yuqi, SEO YOUNG, Heo and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: PARK SEO YOUNG, College of Art and Physical Education, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.